US temporary staffing revenue rose a median 7% year over year in October among staffing firms taking part in Staffing Industry Analysts’ monthly Pulse Survey. This is the same rate reported in September.

“Temporary staffing overall continued to hold the momentum in October, but it is still below the double-digit, year-over-year revenue growth rate reported by staffing companies last year,” said Research Associate Sree Thiyagarajan. “While revenue growth in the industrial segment remains under pressure, the segment showed some good news in the form of stronger-than-average bill rate trends, a rise in the net proportion of firms reporting increasing new orders, and decreasing sales and recruiting difficulty.”

Median year-over-year revenue growth accelerated in the following staffing segments in October from September:

• Locum tenens: to 21% from 17%
• IT: to 8% from 6%
• Office/clerical: to 3% from 0%
• Industrial: to 2% from 1%

The report also found median year-over-year revenue growth decelerated in the following staffing segments in October from September:

• Marketing/creative: to 0% from 9%
• Engineering/design: to -4% from 0%
• Travel nursing: to 21% from 23%
• Finance/accounting: to 1% from 3%
• Allied healthcare: to 9% from 10%

Direct hire revenue growth accelerated to a median year-over-year expansion rate of 8% in October, the same rate as in September.

However, sales difficulty edged up to 2.69 from 2.65 (on a five-point scale, with five meaning most difficult) and average recruiting difficulty increased to 3.26 from 3.14 in the survey overall. Firms that primarily provide IT staffing reported sales difficulty of 3.26, the highest level observed since Staffing Industry Analysts began tracking this metric in 2013.

The net proportion of firms reporting an increasing trend in new orders was 39% in October, roughly in line with the average level observed over the past 12 months. The net proportion of firms reporting increasing new orders was higher for industrial staffing firms but lower for IT staffing firms when compared with their respective past 12-month averages.

Pulse Survey results are based on a monthly survey of US staffing firms. Data from the month of October was submitted by individuals from 120 staffing companies. Report highlights are available online.

The next Pulse Survey is currently underway. Participate now by selecting this link.